Dining Out While Watching Your Weight Has Never Been Easier

Also, see MRC Nutritional Guide to Eating Out.

Since eating out is one of life's great pleasures, it is important for you to adopt a policy for guilt free dining. It can do wonders for your social life and help you develop the willpower to follow your menu plan regardless of when or where you eat. Making healthy choices can help you fit restaurant meals into your overall menu plan by following these tips:

• Liquid Calories Count - You can count on a few extra calories even when you order healthy options for your meal, so manage your dining experience by controlling what you drink. Avoid sugary or fat-laden liquid calories.
• Opt for a Salad - Eating a salad is a healthy tip for dining out, since virtually every type of restaurant nowadays offers a side salad. If you need a bigger meal, add grilled chicken or seafood as your protein.
• Skip the Soup - Many restaurants use soups that come in a can and most canned soups are processed. Processed foods too often have added sugars, fats, and sodium.
• Sweet-Talk the Staff - Most restaurants honor requests to help you meet your nutritional needs, so don't hesitate to ask. This way, you can control the ingredients and cooking methods.
• Control the Portion You Eat - Restaurants nowadays serve huge portions that are sometimes enough for two or three people. Avoid the clean your plate mentality and bring leftovers home for another meal.

If you are hungry when you arrive at a restaurant, it is easier to order questionable foods or eat too much. Eating a healthy snack like a plain Greek yogurt about an hour beforehand will leave you feeling more sated. Eating out is should be an enjoyable experience. If you do your homework, ask the right questions and make good decisions, you will be fine.

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Download the Tips For Eating Out guidelines from the National Institute of Health and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for additional advice on eating at franchise food chains. Dining out while watching your weight has never been easier.